Multi-aperture imaging device, imaging system and method for providing a multi-aperture imaging device

ABSTRACT

A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, each optical channel including optics for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels and an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a translatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beam deflector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/605,200 filed May 25, 2017, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2016/069521, filed Aug. 17, 2016,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, andadditionally claims priority from German Application No. DE102015215840.3, filed Aug. 19, 2015, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a multi-aperture imaging device, to animaging system and to a method for providing a multi-aperture imagingdevice. The present invention further relates to multi-aperture imagingsystems with a linear channel arrangement and small or smallest size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional cameras have an imaging channel that projects the wholeobject field. The cameras have adaptive components that enable arelative lateral two-dimensional displacement between objective andimage sensor for realizing an optical image stabilization function.Multi-aperture imaging systems with a linear channel arrangement consistof several imaging channels each of which captures only a part of theobject and contains a deflecting mirror.

Concepts for a multi-channel detection of object areas or fields of viewthat enable a compact realization would be desirable.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a multi-aperture imaging device may have: animage sensor; an array of the optical channels, wherein each opticalchannel includes optics for projecting a partial field of view of atotal field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor; a beamdeflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels; and anoptical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along a first imageaxis by generating a translatory relative movement between the imagesensor and the array and for an image stabilization along a second imageaxis by generating a rotational movement of the beam deflector.

According to another embodiment, an imaging system may have an inventivemulti-aperture imaging device, wherein the imaging system is implementedas a portable system.

According to another embodiment, a method for providing a multi-apertureimaging device may have the steps of: providing an image sensor;arranging an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channelincludes optics for projecting a partial field of view of a total fieldof view on an image sensor area of the image sensor; arranging a beamdeflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels; andarranging an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along afirst image axis by generating a translatory relative movement betweenthe image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along asecond image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beamdeflector.

One finding of the present invention is having recognized that the aboveobject may be achieved by obtaining optical image stabilization along animage axis that is detected by the multi-aperture imaging device of animage, by generating a rotational movement of a beam-deflecting meansthat deflects the optical path of optical channels, so that atranslatory movement along the respective image direction between animaging channel and an image sensor may be reduced or avoided. Such areduced extent of translatory movements enables reduced constructionheight and therefore a compact, i. e. having a small construction space,and, particularly with regard to achieving a small construction heightor thickness, advantageous implementation of the multi-aperture imagingdevice.

According to an embodiment, a multi-aperture imaging device includes animage sensor, an array of optical channels, a beam-deflecting means andan optical image stabilizer. Each optical channel of the array ofoptical channels includes optics for projecting a partial field of viewof a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor.The beam-deflecting means is configured to deflect an optical path ofthe optical channels. The optical image stabilizer is configured togenerate, for image stabilization along a first image axis, atranslatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array andto generate, for image stabilization along a second image axis, arotational movement of the beam-deflecting means. Based on therotational movement, a low consumption of construction space may beachieved along the second image axis. Based on the rotational movement,a configuration, wherein an actuator for generating a translatorymovement along a first axis between an image sensor and optics has to bemoved by an actuator for generating a translatory movement along asecond axis, may further be avoided

According to a further embodiment, the image stabilizer includes atleast one actuator. The at least one actuator is at least partiallyarranged between two planes that are spanned (defined) by sides of acuboid, the sides of the cuboid being aligned parallel to each other aswell as to a line extension direction of the array and a part of theoptical path of the optical channels between the image sensor and thebeam-deflecting means, and the volume of the same being minimal andnevertheless including the image sensor, the array and thebeam-deflecting means. If a direction, for example a thicknessdirection, is perpendicular to at least one plane, this enables a smallthickness of the multi-aperture imaging device or of a system comprisingthe multi-aperture image device.

According to a further embodiment, a multi-aperture imaging deviceincludes a focussing means including at least one actuator for adjustingthe focus of the multi-aperture imaging device. The focussing means isat least partially arranged between two planes that are spanned by sidesof a cuboid, the sides of the cuboid being aligned parallel to eachother as well as to a line extension direction of the array and a partof the optical path of the optical channels between the image sensor andthe beam-deflecting means, and the volume of the same being minimal andnevertheless including the image sensor, the array and thebeam-deflecting means. This is advantageous in that, by arranging theactuator in the plane, a consumption of construction space along adirection that is perpendicular to the plane may be low.

According to a further embodiment, the array of optical channels isformed in a single line. A single-line implementation of the array ofoptical channels enables small spatial extension of the array and/or themulti-aperture imaging device along a direction that is perpendicular toa line extension direction of the array, which may enable furtherreduced dimensions of the devices.

Further embodiments relate to an imaging system and to a method forproviding a multi-aperture imaging device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequentlyreferring to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a schematic view of a multi-aperture imaging device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 1b is a schematic view of a multi-aperture imaging device accordingto an embodiment, in which an actuator is connected to an image sensor;

FIG. 2a is a schematic side sectional view of a further multi-apertureimaging device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2b is a schematic side sectional view of the multi-aperture imagingdevice of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a multi-aperture imaging deviceaccording to an embodiment, wherein a beam-deflecting means includesdifferent beam-deflecting elements;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a multi-aperture imagingdevice with optical channels arranged in a single-line manner accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 5a is a schematic representation of a beam-deflecting means that isformed as an array of facets according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5b is a schematic view of the beam-deflecting means according to anembodiment, wherein facets, compared to the representation in FIG. 5a ,comprise a mutually different sorting;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an imaging system according toan embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a total field of view accordingto an embodiment as it may be detected, for example, using amulti-aperture imaging device described herein;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portable device includingtwo multi-aperture imaging devices according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 shows a schematic structure including a first multi-apertureimaging device and a second multi-aperture imaging device having acommon image sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before embodiments of the present invention are subsequently discussedreferring to the appended drawings, it should be understood thatidentical, elements, objects and/or structures or those having the samefunction or the same effect in different figures are provided with thesame reference numerals so that a description of these elements asrepresented in different embodiments is mutually exchangeable orapplicable.

FIG. 1a shows a schematic view of a multi-aperture imaging device 10according to an embodiment. The multi-aperture imaging device 10includes an image sensor 12, an array 14 of the optical channels 16 a-h,a beam-deflecting means 18, and an optical image stabilizer 22. Eachoptical channel 16 a-h includes optics for projecting a partial field ofview of a total field of view on an image sensor area 24 a-h of theimage sensor 12. Optical channels may be understood as courses ofoptical paths. The optical paths may comprise at least one opticselement that is arranged in the array 14. The single optical channelsmay each form complete imaging optics and comprise at least one opticalcomponent or optics, for example a refractive, diffractive or hybridlens, and may project a section of the total object that is captured asa whole using the multi-aperture imaging device. An aperture diaphragmmay be arranged with regard to the optical channels.

The image sensor areas 24 a-h, for example, may each be formed from achip that includes a corresponding pixel array, wherein the image sensorareas may be mounted on a common substrate or a common circuit carrier,such as a common board or a common flex board. Of course, it wouldalternatively also be possible that the image sensor areas 24 a-h areeach formed from a part of a common pixel array that continuouslyextends across the image sensor areas 24 a-h, the common pixel array,for example, being formed on a single chip. In this case, for example,only pixel values of the common pixel array in image sensor areas 24 a-hare read out. Of course, different mixes of said alternatives are alsopossible, for example the presence of one chip for two or more channelsand of a further chip for, again, different channels or the like. In thecase of several chips of the image sensor 12, the same may be mounted,for example, on one or more boards or circuit carriers, for example alltogether or group-wise or the like.

The beam-deflecting means 18 is configured to deflect an optical path 26of the optical channels 16 a-h. The image stabilizer 22 is configured toenable optical image stabilization along a first image axis 28 and alonga second image axis 32, based on a relative movement between the imagesensor 12, the array 14, and the deflecting means 18. The first imageaxis 28 and the second image axis 32 may be influenced by an arrangementor alignment of the image sensor areas 24 a-h or the image sensor 12.According to an embodiment, the image axes 28 and 32 are arrangedperpendicular to each other and/or coincide with extension directions ofpixels of the image sensor areas 24 a-d. The image axes 28 and 32 mayalternatively or additionally indicate an orientation along which apartial field of view or the total field of view is sampled or detected.In simple terms, the image axes 28 and 32 may be a first and seconddirection, respectively, in an image that is detected by themulti-aperture imaging device 10. The image axes 28 and 32, for example,comprise an angle to each other that is #0°, for example may be arrangedspatially perpendicular to each other.

Optical image stabilization may be advantageous, if, during a detectionoperation during which partial fields of view or the total field of viewis detected, the multi-aperture imaging device 10 is moved relative tothe object area whose field of view is detected. The optical imagestabilizer 22 may be configured to at least partially counteract thismovement, in order to reduce or prevent blurring of the image. For this,the optical image stabilizer 22 may be configured to generate atranslatory relative movement 34 between the image sensor 12 and thearray 14. For this, the optical image stabilizer 22 may comprise anactuator 36 that is configured to generate the translatory relativemovement 34. Although the actuator 36 is represented such that itdisplaces or moves the array 14 in a translatory manner, the actuator 36according to further embodiments may alternatively or additionally beconnected to the image sensor 12 and configured to move the image sensor12 relative to the array 14. The relative movement 34 may be performedin parallel to a line extension direction 35 and perpendicular to theoptical paths 26. However, it may be advantageous to set in motion thearray 14 with regard to the image sensor 12 in a translatory manner, forexample in order to apply a small or no mechanical load to an electricalconnection of the image sensor 12 with regard to other components.

The optical image stabilizer 22 may be configured to generate or enablea rotational movement 38 of the beam-deflecting means 18. For this, theoptical image stabilizer 22 may, for example, comprise an actuator 42that is configured to generate the rotational movement 38. Based on thetranslatory relative movement 34, optical image stabilization along animage direction may be obtained in parallel thereto, for example alongor opposite to the image axis 28. Based on the rotational movement 38,optical image stabilization along an image direction that is arrangedperpendicular to a rotation axis 44 of the rotational movement 38 in amain side plane of the image sensor 12, for example along the image axis32, may be obtained. A main side may be understood as a side thatcomprises a large or largest dimension compared to other sides.Alternatively or additionally, a focussing means, for example asdescribed in connection with FIG. 3, may be arranged that is configuredto change a focus of the multi-aperture imaging device.

In simple terms, instead of a translatory movement perpendicular to therelative movement 34, the rotational movement 38 may be used in order toobtain optical image stabilization along the second image axis 32. Thismakes it possible to reduce a construction space that may be used forenabling the translatory relative movement perpendicular to the relativemovement 34. The translatory relative movement may, for example, bearranged perpendicular to a thickness direction of the device, so thatthe device may be implemented with a small thickness, i. e. thin.

This is advantageous particularly in the field of mobile devices, as thesame may be implemented with a flat housing.

The array 14 may, for example, comprise a carrier 47 through which theoptical channels 16 a-h pass. The carrier 47, for example, may beconfigured in an opaque manner and may comprise transparent areas forthe optical channels 16 a-h. Optics of the optical channels 16 a-h maybe arranged within or adjacent to the transparent areas and/or at endareas thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier 47 may beformed transparently and, for example, may comprise a polymeric materialand/or a glass material. At a surface of the carrier 47 optics (lenses)that influence the projection of the respective partial field of view ofthe total field of view on the respective image sensor area 24 a-h ofthe image sensor may be arranged.

The actuators 36 and/or 42 may, for example, be formed as pneumaticactuator, hydraulic actuator, piezoelectric actuator, direct currentmotor, stepper motor, thermally actuated actuator, electrostaticactuator, electrostrictive actuator, magnetostrictive actuator orvoice-coil drive.

The beam-deflecting means 18 may be formed to be reflective in areas.The beam-deflecting means 18 may, for example, comprise areas orbeam-deflecting elements 46 a-d that are configured to deflect theoptical paths 26 such that the deflected optical paths comprise amutually different angle and detect a mutually different partial fieldof view of a total field of view. The different angles may be generatedby the beam-deflecting means 18 and/or optics of the optical channels 16a-h. The areas 46 a-d may, for example, be formed as facets of a facetmirror. With regard to the array 14, the facets may comprise a mutuallydifferent tilt. This may enable deflection, influence, control and/orscattering of the optical paths 26 towards partial fields of view thatare arranged differently from one another. Alternatively, thebeam-deflecting means 18 may be configured as a surface that isreflective on one or both sides, for example as a mirror. The face maybe formed to be planar or continuously curved in sections or planarand/or may be formed to be discontinuously curved in sections or planar.A deflection of optical paths 26 may alternatively or additionally beobtained by means of the optics of the optical channels 16 a-h.

In other words, the mirror (beam-deflecting means) may be planar acrossthe area of all the channels, may comprise a continuous or discontinuousprofile, and/or may be planar in pieces, i. e. facetted, the transitionsbetween single continuous or discontinuous profiles additionallycomprising local masks for decreasing reflectivity or mechanicalstructures in order to reduce image errors or to enable stiffening ofthe structure, so that there are only few motion-induced or thermallyinduced image errors.

Switching between the first position and the second position of thebeam-deflecting means may be performed in a translatory manner along therotational axis 44. Movement along the rotational axis 44 may beperformed continuously or discontinuously, for example in a bistable ormultiply stable manner. This may be understood, for example, asposition-discrete positions between which the beam-deflecting means 18is moved. Simply stable, bistable or multiply stable positions, forexample, may be obtained by configuring the actuator 42 or anotheractuator as a stepper motor. If the beam-deflecting means 18, forexample, is configured to be moved back and forth between two positions,one of the positions may, for example, be an idle position of theactuator or be based thereon. The actuator may, for example, beconfigured to perform the translatory movement relative to a springforce that, when arriving at the respective other position, exerts acounterforce that, upon removal of the force of the actuator, moves thebeam-deflecting means back to the starting position of the same. Thismeans that a stable position may also be obtained in areas of a forcediagram that do not comprise a local force minimum. This may, forexample, be a force maximum. Alternatively or additionally, a stableposition may be obtained based on magnetic or mechanical forces betweenthe beam-deflecting means 18 and an adjacent housing or substrate. Thismeans that the actuator 42 or the other actuator for a translatorymovement of the beam-deflecting means may be configured in order to movethe beam-deflecting means into a bistable or multiply stable position.

Alternatively, simple mechanical stops may be provided for bistablearrangements of the positions that define two end positions betweenwhich a position switching in the defined end positions is performed.

FIG. 1b shows a schematic view of a multi-aperture imaging device 10′according to one embodiment. The multi-aperture imaging device 10′ ismodified with regard to the multi-aperture imaging device 10, in thatthe actuator 36 is mechanically connected to the image sensor 12 andconfigured to move the image sensor 12 relative to the array 14. Therelative movement 34 may be performed in parallel to the line extensiondirection 35 and perpendicular to the optical paths 26.

FIG. 2a shows a schematic side sectional view of a multi-apertureimaging device 20 according to an embodiment. The multi-aperture imagingdevice 20 may, for example, modify the multi-aperture imaging device 10such that the actuators 36 and/or 42 are arranged to be at leastpartially arranged between two planes 52 a and 52 b that are spanned bysides 53 a and 53 b of a cuboid 55. The sides 53 a and 53 b of thecuboid 55 may be parallel to each other as well as parallel to the lineextension direction of the array and of a part of the optical path ofthe optical channels between the image sensor and the beam-deflectingmeans. The volume of the cuboid 55 is minimal but nevertheless includesthe image sensor 12, the array 14, and the beam-deflecting means 18 aswell as movements of the same caused by operation. Optical channels ofthe array 14 comprise optics 17 that may be formed identical or mutuallydifferent for each optical channel.

A volume of the multi-aperture imaging device may comprise a small orminimal construction space between the planes 52 a and 52 b. Along thelateral sides or extension directions of plane 52 a and/or 52 b, aconstruction space of the multi-aperture imaging device may be large orof any size. The volume of the virtual cuboid is, for example,influenced by an arrangement of the image sensor 12, the single-linearray 14, and the beam-deflecting means, the arrangement of thesecomponents according to embodiments described herein being such that theconstruction space of these components along the direction perpendicularto the planes, and therefore the distance of planes 52 a and 52 b toeach other, becomes small or minimal. With regard to other arrangementsof the components, the volume and/or the distance of other sides of thevirtual cuboid may be enlarged.

The virtual cuboid 55 is represented by dotted lines. The planes 52 aand 52 b may comprise two sides of the virtual cuboid 55 or may bespanned by the same. A thickness direction 57 of the multi-apertureimaging device 20 may be arranged normal to plane 52 a and/or 52 band/or in parallel to the y-direction.

The image sensor 12, the array 14, and the beam-deflecting means 18 maybe arranged such that a perpendicular distance between the planes 52 aand 52 b along the thickness direction 57, which, simplifying but notlimitating, is referred to as height of the cuboid, is minimal, whereina minimization of the volume, i. e. the other dimensions of the cuboid,may be omitted. An extension of the cuboid 55 along the direction 57 maybe minimal and substantially dictated by the extension of opticalcomponents of the imaging channels, i. e. the array 14, the image sensor12, and the beam-deflecting means 18, along the direction 57.

A volume of the multi-aperture imaging device may comprise a small orminimal construction space between the planes 52 a and 52 b. Along thelateral sides or extension directions of planes 52 a and/or 52 b, aconstruction space of the multi-aperture imaging device may be large orof any size. The volume of the virtual cuboid, for example, isinfluenced by an arrangement of the image sensor 12, the single-linearray 14, and the beam-deflecting means, the arrangement of thesecomponents according to the embodiments described herein being performedsuch that the construction space of these components along the directionperpendicular to the planes, and therefore the distance of planes 52 aand 52 b to each other, becomes small or minimal. With regard to otherarrangements of the components, the volume and/or the distance of othersides of the virtual cuboid may be enlarged.

The actuators, for example the actuator 36 and/or 42 of themulti-aperture imaging device, may comprise a dimension or extension inparallel to the direction 57. A percentage of a maximum of 50%, amaximum of 30% or a maximum of 10% of the dimension of the actuator orthe actuators may, based on an area between the planes 52 a and 52 b,protrude beyond plane 52 a and/or 52 b or protrude from the area. Thismeans that the actuators only inessentially protrude beyond plane 52 aand/or 52 b. According to embodiments, the actuators do not protrudebeyond the planes 52 a and 52 b. This is advantageous in that anextension of the multi-aperture imaging device 10 along the thicknessdirection or the direction 57 is not enlarged by the actuators.

The image stabilizer 22 and the actuators 36 and/or 42 may comprise adimension or extension in parallel to the thickness direction 57. Apercentage of a maximum of 50%, a maximum of 30% or a maximum of 10% ofthe dimension may, based on an area between the planes 52 a and 52 b,protrude beyond plane 52 a and/or 52 b or protrude from the area, asrepresented, for example, for the actuator 42′ indicating an offsetarrangement of the actuator 42. This means that the actuators 36 and/or42 only inessentially protrude beyond planes 52 a and/or 52 b.

According to embodiments, the actuators 36 and/or 42 do not protrudebeyond the planes 52 a and 52 b. This is advantageous in that anextension of the multi-aperture imaging device 20 along the thicknessdirection 57 is not enlarged by the actuators 36 or 42.

Although terms like “top”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “in front” or“behind” used herein are used for better illustration, the same shouldhave no restrictive effect whatsoever. It is understood that, based on arotation or tilting in space, these terms may be mutually substituted.The x-direction, starting from the image sensor 12 towards thebeam-deflecting means 18, may, for example, be understood as being inthe front or forward. A positive y-direction may, for example, beunderstood as being on the top. An area along the positive or negativez-direction offside or spaced from the image sensor 12, the array 14,and/or the beam-deflecting means 18 may be understood as being besidethe respective component. In simple terms, the image stabilizer maycomprise at least one actuator 36 and/or 42. The at least one actuator36 and/or 42 may be arranged in plane 48 or between the planes 52 a and52 b.

In other words, the actuators 36 and/or 42 may be arranged in front of,behind or beside the image sensor 12, the array 14, and/or thebeam-deflecting means 18. According to embodiments, the actuators 36 and42 are arranged to be outside the area between the planes 52 a and 52 bwith a maximum extent of 50%, 30% or 10%. This means that the at leastone actuator 36 and/or the image stabilizer 22, along the thicknessdirection 57 perpendicular to the plane 48, protrudes from the plane orarea between the maximum dimensions 52 a to 52 b by a maximum of 50% ofthe dimension of the actuator 36 or 42 of the image stabilizer along thethickness direction 57. This enables a small dimension of themulti-aperture imaging device 20 along the thickness direction 57.

FIG. 2b shows a schematic side sectional view of the multi-apertureimaging device 20, the optical paths 26 and 26′ indicating differentviewing directions of the multi-aperture imaging device 20. Themulti-aperture imaging device may be configured to change a tilt of thebeam-deflecting means by an angle α so that alternately different mainsides of the beam-deflecting means 18 are arranged to face the array 14.The multi-aperture imaging device 20 may include an actuator that isconfigured to tilt the beam-deflecting means 18 by the rotation axis 44.The actuator, for example, may be configured to move the beam-deflectingmeans 18 into a first position where the beam-deflecting means 18deflects the optical path 26 of the optical channels of the array 14 inthe positive y-direction. For this, the beam-deflecting means 18 maycomprise, for example, an angle α of >0° and <90°, of at least 10° andup to 80°, or of at least 30° and up to 50°, for example 45°, in thefirst position. The actuator may be configured to displace thebeam-deflecting means in a second position about the rotation axis 44such that the beam-deflecting means 18 deflects the optical path of theoptical channels of the array 14 towards the negative y-direction, asrepresented by the optical path 26′ and the dotted representation of thebeam-deflecting means 18. The beam-deflecting means 18 may, for example,be configured to be reflective on both sides so that in the firstposition a first optical path 26 or 26′ is deflected or reflected.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a multi-aperture imaging device 30according to an embodiment. The multi-aperture imaging device 30 may bemodified with regard to the multi-aperture imaging device 10 and/or 20such that the multi-aperture imaging device 30 includes a focussingmeans 54 that is configured to change a focus of the multi-apertureimaging device 30. This may be performed based on a variable distance 56between the image sensor 12 and the array 14, as represented by thedistance 56′.

The focussing means 54 may include an actuator 58 that is configured todeform during actuation and/or to provide a relative movement betweenthe image sensor 12 and the array 14. This is represented exemplarilyfor the multi-aperture imaging device 30 in a way that the actuator 58is configured to shift the array 14 along the positive and/or negativex-direction with regard to the image sensor 12. The array 14 may, forexample, be positioned at one side such that the same, based on anactuation of the actuator 58, is moved along a positive or negativex-direction and remains substantially unmoved along a positive and/ornegative z-direction. An additional movement along the positive and/ornegative z-direction for optical image stabilization may, for example,be obtained based on an actuation of the actuator 36. According tofurther embodiments, the actuator 58 or the focussing means 54 isconfigured to obtain the relative movement between the image sensor 12and the array 14 along the x-axis based on a translatory displacement ofthe image sensor 12 with regard to the array 14. According to furtherembodiments, the image sensor 12 and the array 14 may be moved.According to further embodiments, the focussing means 54 may comprise atleast one further actuator. A first actuator and a second actuator may,for example, be arranged at two opposite areas of the array 14 so thatduring actuation of the actuators a requirement to the positioning ofthe moved array 14 (alternatively or additionally to the image sensor12) is reduced. Additionally, the actuator 58 or a further actuator maybe configured to keep a distance between the single-line array 14 andthe beam-deflecting means 18 substantially constant or exactly constant,even when using no additional actuator, i. e. to move thebeam-deflecting means 18 to an extent as is the single-line array 14.The focussing means 54 may be configured to enable an autofocus functionby a relative translatory movement (focussing movement) between theimage sensor 12 and the array 14 along a normal to surface of the imagesensor 12. Here, the beam-deflecting means 18 may be movedsimultaneously to the focussing movement by a corresponding constructiveconfiguration or usage of the actuator 42 or a further actuator. Thismeans that a distance between the array 14 and the beam-deflecting meansremains unchanged and/or that the beam-deflecting means 18 is movedsimultaneously or with a time offset to an equal or similar extent asthe focussing movement so that the same, at least at the time ofcapturing the field of view by the multi-aperture imaging device, isunchanged compared to the distance before a change in focus. This may beperformed such that the beam-deflecting means 18 is moved together, i.e. simultaneously, with the actuator 42 so that a distance between thearray 14 and the beam-deflecting means remains constant or is beingcompensated. This means that a distance between the array 14 and thebeam-deflecting means 18 may remain unchanged and/or that thebeam-deflecting means 18 may be moved simultaneously or with a timedelay in an equal or similar extent as the focussing movement so thatthe distance between the array 14 and the beam-deflecting means 18 is,at least at a time of capturing the field of view by the multi-apertureimaging device, unchanged compared to a distance before a change offocus. Alternatively, the beam-deflecting means 18 may be in an idlestate or be excluded from the autofocus movement.

The actuator 58, for example, may be formed as piezoelectric actuatorsuch as a bending beam (such as a bimorph, trimorph or the like).Alternatively or additionally, the focussing means 54 may include avoice-coil drive, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, adirect-current motor, a stepper motor, a thermally actuated actuator orbending beam, an electrostatic actuator, an electrostrictive and/or amagnetostrictive drive.

As described in the context of the image stabilizer and an arrangementof the same in plane 48 or in an area between the planes 52 a and 52 b,the at least one actuator 58 of the focussing means 54 may at leastpartially be arranged between the planes 52 a and 52 b. Alternatively oradditionally, the at least one actuator 58 may be arranged in a plane inwhich the image sensor 12, the array 14, and the beam-deflecting means18 are arranged. Exemplarily, the actuator 58 of the focussing means 54may, along the thickness direction 57 perpendicular to plane 48 in whichthe image sensor 12, the array 14, and the beam-deflecting means 18 arearranged, protrude from the area between the planes 52 a and 52 b by amaximum of 50% of the dimension of the actuator 58 of the focussingmeans 54 along the thickness direction 57. According to embodiments, theactuator protrudes from the area between the planes 52 a and 52 b by amaximum of 30%. According to another embodiment, the actuator 55protrudes from the area by a maximum of 10% or is completely locatedwithin the area. This means that along the thickness direction 57 noadditional construction space for the focussing means 54 is needed,which is an advantage. If, for example, the array 14 comprises atransparent substrate (carrier) 62 with lenses 64 a-d arranged thereon,a dimension of the array 14 and, if need be, the multi-aperture imagingdevice 30 along the thickness direction 57 may be small or minimal.Referring to FIG. 2a , this might mean that the cuboid 55 comprises asmall thickness along direction 57 or that the thickness is notinfluenced by the substrate 62. The substrate 62 may be passed throughby the optical paths that are used for projection in single opticalchannels. The optical channels of the multi-aperture imaging device maypass through the substrate 62 between the beam-deflecting means 18 andan image sensor 12.

Lenses 64 a-d, for example, may be liquid lenses, i. e. an actuator maybe configured to control the lenses 64 a-d. Liquid lenses may beconfigured to adapt and vary refractive power and therefore focal lengthand image location individually channel per channel.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the multi-aperture imagingdevice 40 according to an embodiment. Compared to the multi-apertureimaging device 10, the array 14, for example, is configured with asingle line, i. e. all optical channels 16 a-d may be arranged in asingle line along a line extension direction of the array 14. The term“single line” therefore may indicate the absence of further lines. Asingle-line configuration of the array 14 enables a smaller dimension ofthe array and eventually of the multi-aperture imaging device 40 alongthe thickness direction 57.

The multi-aperture imaging device 40 may be configured to detect fieldsof view in mutually different directions, based on the beam-deflectingmeans 18. The beam-deflecting means may, for example, comprise a firstposition or Pos1 position and a second position or Pos2 position. Thebeam-deflecting means may be switched between the first position Pos1and the second position Pos2, based on a translatory or rotary movement.The beam-deflecting means 18 may, for example, be movable in atranslatory manner along the line extension direction z of thesingle-line array 14, as indicated by a translatory movement 66. Thetranslatory movement 66, for example, may be arranged substantially inparallel to a line extension direction 65 along which the at least oneline of the array 14 is arranged. The translatory movement may, forexample, be used in to place different facets in front of the optics ofthe optical channel 16 in order to obtain different viewing directionsof the multi-aperture imaging device 40. The beam-deflecting means 18may be configured to direct, in the first position Pos1, the opticalpaths 26 a-d in a first direction, for example at least partially in apositive y-direction. The beam-deflecting means 18 may be configured todirect, in the second position Pos2, the optical paths 26 a-d, i. e. ofeach optical channel, in a direction different from the same, forexample at least partially in a negative y-direction. The actuator 42may, for example, be configured to move the beam-deflecting means 18from the first position Pos1 to the second position Pos2, based on amovement of the beam-deflecting means 18 along the direction of movement66. The actuator 42 may be configured to superpose the translatorymovement along the direction of movement 66 with the rotational movement38. Alternatively, the multi-aperture imaging device 40 may include afurther actuator that is configured to move the beam-deflecting meansalong the direction of movement 66 or opposite to the same.

As described in the context of FIG. 2b , the actuator 42 may beconfigured to obtain the first and second position of thebeam-deflecting means 18 based on a rotation thereof. The movementbetween the first position Pos1 and the second position Pos2 may besuperposed with the rotational movement 38 both for a rotationalmovement for switching between positions and the translatory movementalong direction 66.

FIG. 5a shows a schematic view of a beam-deflecting means 18 that isformed as an array of facets 46 a-h. If, for example, thebeam-deflecting means 18 is positioned in the first position, facets 46a-d that are identified with numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, maydeflect optical paths of four optical channels in a first direction. Ifthe beam-deflecting means 18 is in the second position, the optical pathof each optical channel may be deflected in the second direction, basedon facets 46 e-h, as identified by numbers 1′, 2′, 3′, and 4′,respectively. Facets 46 a-d and 46 e-h, for example, may be referred toas being arranged in blocks. For a translatory movement of thebeam-deflecting means 18 along the translatory direction 66, a distance88 that substantially corresponds to an extension length of the numberof optical channels along the line extension direction 65 may betraveled. According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, for example, this is anextension of four optical channels along a line extension direction 65.

According to a further embodiment, the number of beam-deflectingelements can be different from a multiple of optical channels. At leastone beam-deflecting element may be configured or arranged in a positionof the beam-deflecting means in order to deflect optical paths of atleast two optical channels.

FIG. 5b shows a schematic view of the beam-deflecting means 18, whereinfacets 46 a-g, compared to the representation in FIG. 5a , comprise amutually different sorting. The beam-deflecting means represented inFIG. 5b comprises an alternate arrangement of the optical channels 46a-g for each optical channel, as represented by the sequence 1, 1′, 2,2′, 3, 3′, 4, and 4′. This enables a distance 88′ along which thebeam-deflecting means 18 is being moved in order to be switched betweenthe first position and the second position. The distance 88′ may besmall, compared to the distance 88 of FIG. 5a . The distance 88′ may,for example, substantially correspond to the distance between twoadjacent optical channels of the array 14. Two optical channels may, forexample, comprise a distance or a space between each other thatsubstantially corresponds to at least one dimension of a facet along thedirection of movement 65. The distance 88′ may also be different fromthe same, for example, when a beam-deflecting element is configured orarranged in a position of the beam-deflecting means in order to deflectoptical paths of at least two optical channels.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of an imaging system 60according to an embodiment. The imaging system 60 includes themulti-aperture imaging device 10. According to further embodiments, theimaging system 60 alternatively or additionally to the multi-apertureimaging device 10 includes at least one multi-aperture imaging device20, 30, and/or 40. The imaging device 60 includes a flat housing 92. Theflat housing 92 includes a first extension 94 a along a first housingdirection a. The flat housing 92 further includes a second extension 94b along a second housing direction b, and a third extension 94 c along athird housing direction c. The housing direction a may, for example, bearranged in parallel to the thickness direction 57 in space. Theextension 94 a of the flat housing 92 along the housing direction a maybe understood as smallest dimension of the flat housing 92. Compared tothe smallest extension, other extensions 94 b and/or 94 c along otherhousing directions b or c may be at least three times the value, atleast five times the value or at least seven times the value, comparedto the extension 94 a along the housing direction a. In simple terms,the extension 94 a may be smaller, substantially smaller or, if need be,be smaller by one size than other extensions 94 b and 94 c along otherhousing directions b or c.

The flat housing 92 may include one or more diaphragms 96 a-b throughwhich the optical path 26 and/or 26′ may be deflected, for example basedon the beam-deflecting beams of the multi-aperture imaging device 10.The diaphragms may be, for example, electrochromic diaphragms and/or bearranged in an area of the display.

The imaging system 60 may be configured as a portable device. Theimaging system 60 may, for example, be a portable communication devicesuch as a mobile telephone or a so-called smartphone, a tablet computeror a portable music playing device. The imaging system 60 may beimplemented as a monitor, for example for use in a navigation,multimedia, or television system. Alternatively or additionally, theimaging device 60 may also be arranged behind reflective surfaces suchas a mirror.

In the field of mobile communication devices an arrangement of amulti-aperture imaging device 10, 10′, 20, 30, and/or 40 may beadvantageous, as an extension of the multi-aperture imaging device alongthe housing direction 94 a based on the arrangement of components alongthe long housing sides 94 b and/94 c may be small, so that an imagingsystem 60 may have a small extension 94 a. In other words, a relativetwo-dimensional lateral movement of image sensor and objective that inconventional systems effects a two-dimensional change of angle of thefield of view (corresponding to a scanning) may be replaced by aone-dimensional change of viewing direction and a rotational movement. Aone-dimensional change of viewing direction may be performed by changingthe alignment of the mirror (beam-deflecting means) with regard to theoptical axis (line extension direction) of the imaging channels, bybringing the rotationally positioned mirror into another orientation,the rotational axis of the mirror being perpendicular or nearlyperpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging channels. For adaptingthe viewing direction perpendicular to the direction described above,image sensor and/or array objective (array of the optical channels) maybe moved laterally to each other. By interaction of both movements,two-dimensional optical image stabilization may be achieved.

In order to enable a small construction height, components arranged forrealizing the movement (for example, actuators) and subsystems, such asimage processing, may, if need be, be exclusively arranged beside, infront of, and/or behind the space defined by the imaging optical path,i. e. between the planes 52 a and 52 b, and, according to embodiments,not above or below the same. This enables spatial separation of actionunits (actuators) for optical image stabilization. Doing this, areduction of the number of components that may be used may be achieved,manufacturing costs of camera systems may be low and a clear decrease ofconstruction height compared to conventional structures may be achieved.Referring to FIG. 2a , a difference to known systems may be that lenses(optics) of optical channels may substantially define the distance ofplanes 52 a and 52 b. This enables a small construction height of thedevice, which is advantageous. In conventional systems, a main plane oflenses is parallel to planes 52 a and 52 b, whereas the main plane ofoptics of the array is arranged orthogonally to the same.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a total field of view 70, asit may be detected, for example, with a multi-aperture imaging devicedescribed herein. The optical paths of the optical channels of themulti-aperture imaging devices may be directed to mutually differentpartial fields of view 72 a-d, wherein each optical channel may beassociated to a partial field of view 72 a-d. The partial fields of view72 a-d, for example, overlap one another in order to enable joiningsingle partial images to a complete image. If the multi-aperture imagingdevice comprises a number of optical channels other than four, the totalfield of view 70 may comprise a number of partial fields of view otherthan four. Alternatively or additionally, at least a partial field ofview 72 a-d may be detected by a second or a higher number of opticalchannels of a higher number of modules (multi-aperture imaging devices)in order to build up stereo, trio, quattro cameras in order to capturethree-dimensional object data therewith. Said modules may be configuredseparately or as a coherent system and may be arranged at any locationwithin the housing 92. The images of different modules that togetherform the stereo, trio, or quattro cameras, may be offset by fractions ofa pixel and configured to implement methods of super resolution. Anumber of optical channels and/or a number of multi-aperture imagingdevices and/or a number of partial fields of view, for example, isarbitrary and may comprise a number of at least two, at least three, atleast four, at least ten, at least 20 or an even higher value. Opticalchannels of the further line may also capture partial areas overlappingone another and together cover the total field of view. This enables astereo, trio, quattro, etc. structure of array cameras that consist ofchannels that partially overlap and cover the total field of view withintheir sub-group.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a device 80 that includes ahousing 72 and a first multi-aperture imaging device 10 a and a secondmulti-aperture imaging device 10 b arranged within the housing 72. Thedevice 80 serves to detect the total field of view 70 stereoscopicallyusing the multi-aperture imaging devices. The total field of view 70,for example, is arranged at a main side 74 b of the housing facing awayfrom the main side 74 a. The multi-aperture imaging devices 10 a and 10b may, for example, detect the total field of view 70 by transparentareas 68 a and 68 c, respectively, wherein diaphragms 78 a and 78 c thatare arranged within the main side 74 b are at least partiallytransparent. Diaphragms 78 b and 78 d that are arranged within the mainside 74 a may at least partially shut transparent areas 68 b and/or 68 doptically so that an extent of false light from one side facing the mainside 74 a, which may falsify the images captured by multi-apertureimaging devices 10 a and/or 10 b, is at least reduced. Althoughmulti-aperture imaging devices 10 a and 10 b are spatially arranged witha distance from each other in space, the multi-aperture imaging devices10 a and 10 b may also be arranged spatially adjacent or combined. Thesingle-line arrays of imaging devices 10 a and 10 b may, for example, bearranged next to each other or parallel to each other. The single-linearrays may form lines to each other, each multi-aperture imaging device10 a and 10 b comprising a single-line array. The imaging devices 10 aand 10 b may comprise a common beam-deflecting means, and/or a commoncarrier 62, and/or a common image sensor 12. Alternatively oradditionally to the multi-aperture imaging device 10 a and/or 10 b, amulti-aperture imaging device 10, 10′, 20, 30 or 40 may be arranged.

The transparent areas 68 a-d may be additionally equipped with aswitchable diaphragm 78 a-d that covers the optical structure in thecase of non-usage. The diaphragm 78 a-d may comprise a part that ismechanically moved. The movement of the mechanically moved part may beperformed using an actuator, for example, as described for actuators 36and 45. The diaphragm 78 a-d may alternatively or additionally beelectrically controllable and comprise an electrochromic layer or anelectrochromic layer sequence, i. e. be formed as electrochromicdiaphragm.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic structure comprising a first multi-apertureimaging device 10 a and a second multi-aperture imaging device 10 b asit may, for example, be arranged within the imaging system 80. Arrays 14a and 14 b are formed with a single line and form a common line. Imagesensors 12 a and 12 b may be mounted on a common substrate or on acommon circuit carrier such as a common board or a common flex board.Alternatively, image sensors 12 a and 12 b may comprise mutuallydifferent substrates. Of course, different mixes of said alternativesare also possible, such as multi-aperture imaging devices comprising acommon image sensor, a common array, and/or a common beam-deflectingmeans 18, as well as further multi-aperture imaging devices comprisingseparate components. A common image sensor, a common array, and/or acommon beam-deflecting means is advantageous in that a high-precisionmovement of any component may be obtained by controlling a small numberof actuators, and a synchronization between actuators may be reduced orprevented. Furthermore, a high thermal stability may be achieved.Alternatively or additionally, other and/or being mutually differentmulti-aperture imaging devices 10, 10′, 20, 30, and/or 40 may alsocomprise a common array, a common image sensor, and/or a commonbeam-deflecting means.

Embodiments that are described herein enable multi-aperture imagingsystems with linear channel arrangement, i. e. having one or more linesalong a line extension direction, with optical image stabilization usinguniaxial translatory movement between image sensor and imaging optics aswell as uniaxial rotative movement of a beam-deflecting mirror array.

Although previously described embodiments are described such that anumber of four optical channels or a multiple of the same is beingarranged, multi-aperture imaging devices according to furtherembodiments may comprise an arbitrary number of optical channels, forexample, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least ten or ahigher number of optical channels may be arranged.

Although previously described embodiments are described such that theoptical image stabilizer 22 comprises the actuator 36 and the actuator42, according to further embodiments actuators 36 and 42 may also beformed as a common actuator. A movement that is generated by theactuator may, for example, be directed to the image sensor 12, theoptical array 14, and/or the beam-deflecting means 18 by means of apower and/or displacement translator (transmission) in order to obtain arespective movement. Alternatively or additionally, one or morecomponents may also be moved by several actuators, for example, asdescribed in the context of multi-aperture imaging device 40.

The image sensor, for example, may be formed as complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or technology that is different fromthe same. The optical channels of a respective array may be understoodsuch that the same define an area in which an optical path that isdirected to a respective image sensor area is optically changed. Anoptical path associated to an image sensor area therefore may passthrough the optical channel of the array.

It has been previously referred to the fact that the optical paths oroptical axes may be directed in mutually different directions, startingfrom the beam-deflecting means. This may be obtained by directingoptical paths during a deflection at the beam-deflecting means and/or byoptics, so as to no longer be parallel to one another. The optical pathsor optical axes may be different from a parallelism before or withoutbeam deflection. This is subsequently described by saying that thechannels may be provided with a kind of pre-divergence. With thispre-divergence of optical axes, it would be possible that, for example,not all facet tilts are different from facets of the beam-deflectingmeans, but that some groups of channels, for example, have facets withthe same tilt or are deflected to the same. The latter may then beformed integrally or continuously merging into one another that is as afacet that is associated to this group of channels that are adjacent inline extension direction. The divergence of optical axes of saidchannels may then originate from the divergence of said optical axes, asobtained by lateral offset between optical centers of optics of theoptical channels and image sensor areas of the channels. Thepre-divergence, for example, may be limited to one plane. The opticalaxes, for example, may be located in a common plane before or withoutbeam deflection, nevertheless being divergent within the same, and thefacets merely effect an additional divergence within the othertransverse plane, i. e. all are tilted in parallel to the line extensiondirection and to one another only with differences to the previouslymentioned common plane of optical axes, wherein here several facets mayhave the same tilt or be commonly associated to a group of channelswhose optical axes, for example, already may differ in the previouslymentioned common plane of optical axes in pairs before or without beamdeflection. Simply stated, optics may enable a (pre-)divergence ofoptical paths along a first (image) direction and the beam-deflectingmeans may enable a divergence of optical paths along a second (image)direction.

The mentioned pre-divergence that might be present may, for example, beachieved by having the optical centers of the optics located on astraight line along the line extension direction, while the centers ofthe image sensor areas are arranged deviating from the projection ofoptical centers along the normal of the plane of the image sensor areasonto points on a straight line in the image sensor plane, for example atpoints that channel-specifically deviate from points on the previouslymentioned straight line in the image sensor plane along the lineextension direction and/or along the direction perpendicular to both theline extension direction and the image sensor normal. Alternatively,pre-divergence may be achieved by having the centers of image sensorslocated on a straight line along the line extension direction, while thecenters of the optics are arranged deviating from the projection of theoptical centers of image sensors along the normal of the plane of theoptical centers of the optics onto points on a straight line in theplane of optical centers, for example at points thatchannel-specifically deviate from points on the previously mentionedstraight line in the plane of optical centers along the line extensiondirection and/or along the direction perpendicular to both the lineextension direction and the normal of the plane of optical centers. Itis advantageous for the previously mentioned channel-specific deviationfrom the respective projection merely to be located in a line extensiondirection, i. e. only the optical axes located in merely one commonplane to be provided with a pre-divergence. Both optical centers andimage sensor area centers are located on a straight line, parallel tothe line extension direction but with different distances in between. Alateral offset between lenses and image sensors in a perpendicular,lateral direction to the line extension direction, in contrast leads toan enlargement of the construction height. A mere in-plane offset in theline extension direction does not change the construction height but mayresult in fewer facets and/or the facets comprising only a tilt in anangle orientation which simplifies the structure. Optical channelsadjacent to each other may, for example, comprise optical axes that arelocated within the common plane, squinting to each other, i.e. beingprovided with a pre-divergence. A facet may be arranged with respect toa group of optical channels, be tilted merely in one direction, and beparallel to the line extension direction.

Further, it could be provided that some optical channels are associatedto the same partial field of view, for example, for super resolution orfor increasing the resolution using which the respective partial fieldof view is sampled by said channels. The optical channels within such agroup would run in parallel before beam deflection and would bedeflected to a partial field of view by a facet. It would beadvantageous, if pixel images of the image sensor of a group's channelwould be located in intermediate positions between images of pixels ofthe image sensor of another channel of this group.

Even without the purpose of super resolution but merely for stereoscopicpurposes, a configuration would be conceivable, wherein a group ofimmediately adjacent channels, in the line extension direction,completely cover the total field of view with their partial fields ofview, and a further group of immediately adjacent to one anotherchannels also completely cover the total field of view.

The above embodiments may also be implemented in form of amulti-aperture imaging device and/or an imaging system comprising such amulti-aperture imaging device, having a single-line channel arrangement,wherein each channel transfers a partial field of view of a total fieldof view and the partial fields of view are partially overlapping. Astructure with several such multi-aperture imaging devices for stereo,trio, quattro, etc. structures for 3D image detection is possible. Theplurality of modules may be formed as one continuous line. Thecontinuous line may use identical actuators and a common beam-deflectingelement. One or more reinforcing substrates that might be present in theoptical path may extend across the whole line that forms a stereo, trio,quattro structure. Methods of super resolution may be used, whereinseveral channels project the same partial image areas. Even without beamdeflection device, the optical axes may be divergent so that fewerfacets may be used on the beam-deflecting unit. Advantageously, thefacets then only have one angle component. The image sensor may beintegral, have only one coherent pixel matrix, or several discontinuedones. The image sensor may be composed of several subsensors that, forexample, are arranged next to each other on a printed circuit board. Anautofocus drive may be configured such that the beam-deflecting elementis moved synchronously with the optics or is idle.

Even though some aspects have been described within the context of adevice, it is understood that said aspects also represent a descriptionof the corresponding method, so that a block or a structural componentof the device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step oras a feature of a method step. By analogy therewith, aspects that havebeen described within the context or as a method step also represent adescription of a corresponding block or detail of a feature of acorresponding device.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall withinthe scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are manyalternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of thepresent invention. It is therefore intended that the following appendedclaims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutationsand equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A multi-aperture imaging device comprising: an image sensor; an arrayof the optical channels, wherein each optical channel comprises opticsfor projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view on animage sensor area of the image sensor; a beam deflector for deflectingan optical path of the optical channels; and an optical image stabilizerfor an image stabilization along a first image axis by generating atranslatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array andfor an image stabilization along a second image axis by generating arotational movement of the beam deflector.
 2. The multi-aperture imagingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the image stabilizer comprises atleast one actuator and is arranged such that the same is at leastpartially arranged between two planes that are spanned by sides of acuboid, the sides of the cuboid being aligned parallel to each other aswell as to a line extension direction of the array and a part of theoptical path of the optical channels between the image sensor and thebeam deflector, and the volume of the same being minimal andnevertheless comprising the image sensor, the array, and the beamdeflector.
 3. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim 2,wherein the image stabilizer protrudes from the area between the planesby a maximum of 50%.
 4. The multi-aperture imaging device according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one actuator of the image stabilizercomprises a voice-coil or a piezoelectric actuator.
 5. Themulti-aperture imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising afocuser that comprises at least one actuator for adjusting a focus ofthe multi-aperture imaging device, wherein the focuser is arranged suchthat the same is at least partially arranged between two planes that arespanned by sides of a cuboid, the sides of the cuboid being alignedparallel to each other as well as to a line extension direction of thearray and a part of the optical path of the optical channels between theimage sensor and the beam deflector, and the volume of the same beingminimal and nevertheless comprising the image sensor, the array, and thebeam deflector.
 6. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim5, wherein the focuser comprises an actuator for providing a relativemovement between optics of one of the optical channels and the imagesensor.
 7. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim 6,wherein the focuser is configured to perform the relative movementbetween the optics of one of the optical channels and the image sensorby performing a movement of the beam deflector that is simultaneous tothe relative movement.
 8. The multi-aperture imaging device according toclaim 5, wherein the focuser is arranged such that the same protrudesfrom the area between the planes by a maximum of 50%.
 9. Themulti-aperture imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the at leastone actuator of the focuser is at least one of a pneumatic actuator, ahydraulic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a direct-current motor, astepper motor, a voice-coil motor, an electrostatic actuator, anelectrostrictive actuator, a magnetostrictive actuator, and a thermalactuator.
 10. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim 1,wherein the array is formed in a single line.
 11. The multi-apertureimaging device according to claim 1, wherein the beam deflectorcomprises a first position and a second position between which the beamdeflector may be moved in a translatory manner along a line extensiondirection of the array, the beam deflector being configured to deflect,in the first position and in the in second position, the optical path ofeach optical channel in a mutually different direction.
 12. Themulti-aperture imaging device according to claim 11, wherein atranslatory direction of movement along which the beam deflector may bemoved in a translatory manner is parallel to the line extensiondirection.
 13. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim 1that is arranged in a flat housing, wherein a first extension and asecond extension of the housing along a first housing direction and asecond housing direction comprise at least three times a dimension,compared to a third extension of the housing along a third housingdirection.
 14. The multi-aperture imaging device according to claim 1,wherein the beam deflector is formed as an array of facets that arearranged along the line extension direction.
 15. An imaging systemcomprising a multi-aperture imaging device comprising: an image sensor;an array of the optical channels, wherein each optical channel comprisesoptics for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of viewon an image sensor area of the image sensor; a beam deflector fordeflecting an optical path of the optical channels; and an optical imagestabilizer for an image stabilization along a first image axis bygenerating a translatory relative movement between the image sensor andthe array and for an image stabilization along a second image axis bygenerating a rotational movement of the beam deflector, wherein theimaging system is implemented as a portable system.
 16. The imagingsystem according to claim 15, comprising at least one furthermulti-aperture imaging device, wherein the imaging system is configuredto detect a total field of view at least stereoscopically.
 17. Theimaging system according to claim 15 that is implemented as mobilephone, smartphone, tablet, or monitor.
 18. A method for providing amulti-aperture imaging device comprising: providing an image sensor;arranging an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channelcomprises optics for projecting a partial field of view of a total fieldof view on an image sensor area of the image sensor; arranging a beamdeflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels; andarranging an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along afirst image axis by generating a translatory relative movement betweenthe image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along asecond image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beamdeflector.